LONDON, June 27 — Shifting mindsets have made waste a key concern for societies at large. Here are a few simple ways for households to cut down on waste while also saving money.

Cut down on packaging

With single-use plastic bags now banned in several countries and cities around the world, a sturdy shopping bag or basket is a must-have when buying groceries.

Another tip for reducing packaging is to opt for loose products sold individually or by weight, such as loose fruit and vegetables, cheese and meats from a deli counter, or dried pulses, cereals, nuts and fruit sold by weight.

DIY items such as screws and nails can also be bought individually. It's important to choose the right kinds of containers in appropriate sizes. Try storing foods in biscuit tins or take glass jars to fill with oil, sugar, milk or other produce sold loose.

Avoid buying individually wrapped single-portion products that increase the amount of unnecessary packaging.

Don't over-buy

Ask yourself if you'll really be able eat all of that food before it goes off. Try to buy only what you need, sticking to the amount of a product that you're sure to use, even when cooking for guests.

Instead of buying anything and everything, take stock of what's in the fridge before heading to the store. Then make a shopping list of what you actually need to buy and try your best to stick to it.

Be wary of products sold in multipacks or in three-for-two offers and look carefully at the use-by dates of pre-packaged goods.

Get creative with leftovers

It can be tempting to throw away leftovers, even when they could easily be made into another meal. So long as they're still safe to eat, leftovers can be used up in all kinds of waste-busting recipes.

Stale bread can be made into French toast or bread puddings, for example, while leftover pasta can be made into a cold pasta salad or a pasta bake, vegetables that are starting to turn can be cooked in a ratatouille, and butter and eggs that are near their use-by dates can be made into a cake.

Pick gift experiences rather than stuff

When buying gifts, why not go for a movie pass or a beauty treatment, a day out paragliding or a weekend away rather than more stuff? A gift experience is more original, more personal and more memorable.

Give things away or sell them

Something you no longer need or want could still be useful to someone else. Unwanted items can be donated to charities or associations that resell, recondition or distribute second-hand furniture, white goods, kitchenware, clothes and toys. Alternatively, they can be sold online on websites like Craigslist or eBay.

Make compost

Around a third of our trash is made up of organic waste that could be used to make compost. Vegetable and fruit peelings and garden waste can make great compost for plants, etc.

Special composters are even available for balconies or kitchens, with compact designs in various shapes and sizes made from recycled plastic. Composting worms can be purchased from garden centers or on the internet. Make sure your composter has a full and effective seal to stop them taking over your home.

Take used medicines back to the pharmacy

Throwing pills and tablets in the trash or flushing them down the toilet is bad for the environment. Many countries now operate schemes whereby unused or out-of-date medication can be returned to pharmacies to be destroyed in a safe and appropriate manner, so they don't end up polluting countryside or waterways. — AFP-Relaxnews